Joan Clarke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joan Clarke
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Clarke, c. 1940s
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| Born |
Joan Elisabeth Lowther Clarke
24 June 1917 West Norwood, London, England, UK
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| Died | 4 September 1996 (aged 79) Headington, Oxfordshire, England, UK
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| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Joan Clarke Murray (1952–1996) |
| Alma mater | Newnham College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Cryptanalyst |
| Known for | Codebreaking at Bletchley Park in World War II Numismatism |
| Spouse(s) |
John Murray
(m. 1952; died 1986) |
| Partner(s) | Alan Turing (engaged in 1941 but did not marry) |
| Awards | British Numismatic Society Sanford Saltus Gold Medal (1986) |
Joan Elisabeth Lowther Murray, MBE (born Clarke; June 24, 1917 – September 4, 1996) was a brilliant British mathematician and code-breaker. She is famous for her secret work at Bletchley Park during World War II. There, she helped break the complex Enigma code used by Nazi Germany. Her efforts were very important in helping the Allies win the war. She was recognized for her work and received an award called the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1946.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joan Elisabeth Lowther Clarke was born on June 24, 1917, in West Norwood, London, England. She was the youngest of five children. Her father was a clergyman.
Joan attended Dulwich High School for Girls. In 1936, she won a scholarship to study at Newnham College, Cambridge. She excelled in mathematics, earning top grades. At that time, Cambridge University only gave full degrees to men. Joan received her full degree only after 1948, when the rules changed.
Her amazing math skills were first noticed by Gordon Welchman, one of the top mathematicians recruited for Bletchley Park. He later invited her to join the secret code-breaking team.
Working at Bletchley Park
Joining the Code-Breakers
Joan Clarke arrived at Bletchley Park on June 17, 1940. This was a top-secret location where British experts worked to break enemy codes during World War II. She joined the "Government Code and Cypher School" (GC&CS).
The main goal of GC&CS was to break the German Enigma code. The Germans believed their Enigma machine made their messages unbreakable. Joan was first placed in a group of women who did routine office work. At that time, code-breaking was not seen as a job for women.
Breaking the Enigma Code
Joan worked in a special section called Hut 8. She quickly became the only woman to use a method called Banburismus. This method, developed by Alan Turing, helped reduce the need for large machines called bombes to decipher German messages.
Her first promotion was to "Linguist Grade." This was given to her to earn more money, even though she didn't speak another language. It showed how much her hard work and contributions were valued.
In 1941, the team captured German trawlers, which gave them important code equipment. Before this, German submarines (called "wolf packs") were sinking many Allied ships. By November 1941, Joan and her team helped reduce these losses significantly.
Hugh Alexander, who led Hut 8, called Joan "one of the best Banburists." He and another expert, I. J. Good, thought Banburismus was like an intellectual game. It was challenging but not too difficult.
Joan became the deputy head of Hut 8 in 1944. However, she was paid less than the men in similar roles because of her gender.
Friendship with Alan Turing
Joan Clarke and Alan Turing became close friends soon after they met. They shared many hobbies and had similar personalities. Turing even arranged their work shifts so they could work together. They also spent a lot of their free time together.
In early 1941, Turing proposed marriage to Joan. She met his family. However, Turing later decided he could not go through with the marriage, and they broke off their engagement in mid-1941. They remained very good friends until Turing's death in 1954.
Life After the War
After World War II, Joan Clarke continued to work for the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). This is the UK's intelligence and security organization.
In 1947, she met Lieutenant-Colonel John Kenneth Ronald Murray. He was a retired army officer. They married on July 26, 1952. Soon after, John Murray retired from GCHQ due to health issues. The couple moved to Crail in Scotland.
They both returned to work at GCHQ in 1962. Joan stayed there until she retired at age 60 in 1977.
After her husband passed away in 1986, Joan moved to Headington, England. She continued her research into old coins. She also helped historians who were studying the secret code-breaking work at Bletchley Park. Because much of the work was still secret, the full extent of her achievements is not completely known.
Interest in Coins (Numismatics)
After marrying her husband, who had studied Scottish coins, Joan developed a strong interest in numismatics. This is the study or collection of coins, paper money, and medals.
She studied the order of complex gold and silver coins used in Scotland during the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1986, her research was recognized by the British Numismatic Society. She was awarded the Sanford Saltus Gold Medal for her important work.
Personal Life and Interests
Besides her incredible work, Joan Clarke enjoyed several hobbies. These included studying plants (botany), playing chess, and knitting.
Death and Recognition
Joan Clarke passed away on September 4, 1996, at her home in Headington. On July 27, 2019, an Oxfordshire Blue Plaque was placed on her house. This plaque honors important people and events.
Portrayal in Film
Joan Clarke was played by actress Keira Knightley in the 2014 film The Imitation Game. Benedict Cumberbatch played Alan Turing in the movie.
Some people, including Turing's niece, felt that Knightley was not the right choice to play Joan Clarke. They thought the film also made the relationship between Joan and Alan seem more important than it was in real life.
However, the film's director, Morten Tyldum, said that the movie showed how Joan succeeded in her field. This was especially important because, at that time, women's intelligence was not always appreciated. Keira Knightley was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Joan Clarke.
See also
In Spanish: Joan Clarke para niños
